4

Eliana

I was dreaming.

It wasn't the normal dream my body had become used to; it was a different one, one that made me trash and turn on the bed.

I saw a white wolf with green piercing eyes that regarded me with such animosity. It was small, not as big as the ones that had haunted my childhood dreams.

“You are evil.” The wolf said. Yes, said! Other wolves would have howled or groaned, but this one talked.

“I did nothing wrong to you, little one.” I was saying. But just like the dream had always been for about a month now, the wolf approached me, ready to tear me into shreds. That was exactly when I would wake up.

“This dream again.” I sighed and sat up. I looked around, my mind disoriented.

Yeah, right, I was in my new home. A pack, to be precise, and honestly, it wasn't always rosy over here. I've had to adjust my lifestyle to living among wolves, eating with them, and occasionally seeing them around.

Maybe I should just endure; maybe this was who I truly was; maybe this was my destiny. And maybe not. I had nothing left in the werewolf world; I couldn't even be accepted with the new changes happening in my body.

“Welcome to your new world, Eliana.” I said and got up to tend to my garden.

The good thing about this place was that I got a free house, I got free food, and I even had a garden of my own. What more could I ask for? Living in the werewolf world was so expensive. Damn! I've had to work double shifts on weekends to pay my rent, and I did that to buy my sucker boyfriend a trending game I knew he'd like.

“Stupid Eliana.” I whispered as I grabbed the watering can for my garden. I had not only flowers in that garden. I had fruits too.

It'd been three months, and so many things had happened like finding out I was pregnant.

The day I found out, it felt like a dream. I had stood in front of the bathroom sink, staring blankly at my reflection as the pregnancy test lay on the counter. I didn't see it coming, but that didn't even make it any easier. I was going to be a mother, and I would do it alone.

And when I didn't want to, my mind began to wander, flashing back to those jaw-dropping, gorgeous triplets.

“Oh, stop it, Eliana!” I scolded myself, but I knew I couldn't deny it. Those men were divinely built.

Ace, Cade, and Rhett, those strong men with chiselled faces and sharp eyes. Their faces haunted me; it made my heart ache. I had forced myself to push down the recesses of their being down my mind, and into the abyss of my being.

I went to my garden and began work. The warm sun shining on my back, and the scent of blossoming flowers filling my nostrils. This small patch of land had become my sanctuary, a place where I could cry and where I could sleep.

“At least, my baby would be born into a home filled with love.” I told myself and knew I would walk towards it.

I was watering a pot of my cauliflower when I sensed a presence behind me. I turned to see Alpha Ace, the powerful and respected leader of the pack. He was the one who welcomed me and taught me ways to live with members of the pack.

Alpha Ace was a built man; I wasn't sure if being so handsome was one feature of werewolves. This man was tall, had broad shoulders, and a rare eye colour. I felt a flutter in my chest as our eyes met.

“Alpha Ace,” I said, trying to sound calm, but my whole body wasn't at ease. This man was gorgeous, and his presence makes me feel naked. “I didn't see you coming.”

He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and my nervousness spiked. Since I came here, I'd heard stories about his strength, his wisdom, his understanding, and his unwavering dedication to the pack. I would be forever grateful for his kindness in allowing me to stay with the other, but then his presence just made me feel vulnerable.

“Eliana, you're looking lovely today,” he said, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine. “Your garden is thriving, just like you are.”

I blushed, my cheeks going crimson. No one had ever spoken to me with such kindness before, not even that damned Alex I almost gave my whole life to. All he was ever be worried about was when I would get my next pay cheque and how we would split it.

I knew Alpha Ace was flirting, and honestly, I don't care.

"Thank you, Alpha," I replied, trying to sound composed. "I'm just trying to make the most of this beautiful land."

He took a step closer, his eyes never leaving mine. "You have a green thumb, Eliana. And a beautiful heart. Your arrival has blessed us well.”

He was coming closer, and damn, I couldn't move backwards, I did nothing when he reached out to brushed a strand of hair behind my ear.

"I'm just grateful for your kindness, Alpha," I said, trying to focus on the reason for his visit. I wanted him to go and I also wanted him to stay.

"Kindness?" He chuckled, his voice low and husky. "I'm just ensuring the well-being of one of our pack's most talented members."

“Thank you.”

“You're welcome. I just stopped by to see you. I'll be on my way now.” He said.

As he turned to leave, I called out, "Alpha?"

"Yes, Eliana?" He turned back, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Thank you for letting me stay. For giving me a chance to start anew, I will forever be grateful for that.”

His expression softened, and he smiled. "You're welcome, Eliana. You're one of us now."

With that, he turned and disappeared into the trees, leaving me feeling breathless, bewildered, and more than a little affected by the attention of the powerful Alpha Ace.

***

I was done with the chores and other things, and by evening, I decided to visit someone in town. I hadn't done this in the past because I was broke, but now that I had people who cared about me, I knew it was the time to finally do the right thing.

Find those who killed my mother.

I stepped into a dimly lit office and saw the gruff-looking man named Pedro. He looked up from his desk, his eyes squinting with a mixture of curiosity. A member of the pack referred him to me.

"Eliana, right? You're the one looking for answers about your mother's death," he said, his voice like a worn record. I had come the other day to brief him about what I was looking for.

"Yes, that's me. I need to know what really happened."

"Okay. I'll begin some digging. But I gotta warn you, what I found might not be what you want to hear."

“Thank you.” I handed him the little cash I had, and he took it without hesitation.

"Alright, let's get down to business."

“I will let you know how things are.”

And that was it — the shortest meeting I've had with anyone. I was gone from his office in nontime and on my way home.

It was dark when I walked through the alley left to get to the forest. The flickering street lights cast eerie shadows overhead. I wasn't scared, but I knew I was being watched.

And soon, everything showed in black and white. Three men materialised before me, their breath reeking of alcohol and cigarettes; they smelt of trouble; they reminded me of the triplets, but these ones looked like goons, not handsome men.

I tried to sidestep them, but they blocked my path. That was when I knew I was really in a mess. "Well, well, well. Look what we have here," one of them slurred, his voice dripping like he swallowed a wet frog.

I attempted to hide my fear, at least. "Excuse me, I need to pass."

The men chuckled, their laughter making me want to scream, "Oh, you can't leave here, ma’am," another one sneered.

I tried to stand tall to conceal the tremble in my voice. "I don't know what you want, but I'm not interested.

That is when they began to close in, their faces twisted into cruel grins. I swallowed hard, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios.

Would I die? With my baby? Or would those triplets come to sweep me off my feet again?